800m champ to undergo gender test

BERLIN - Controversial South African runner Caster Semenya was whisked from the track after winning the 800m title at the world championships today and is set to undergo a gender verification test in the coming weeks.

Hours before the final, the International Association of Athletics Federations confirmed they had asked South African officials to conduct the test, following concerns the teenager did not meet the requirements to compete as a woman.

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said it would take weeks for the completion of the "extremely complex and difficult" tests.

Semenya, 18, received a muted reception from the crowd at the Berlin Olympic Stadium after decimating the 800m field to win in one minute 55.45 seconds - the fastest time in the world this year.

Shortly after the victory, IAAF officials shepherded the muscular South African off the arena, avoiding the waiting media throng.

Semenya finished almost 20m clear of defending world champion Janeth Jepkosgei of Kenya (1min 57.90sec).

Britain's Jennifer Meadows was a surprise bronze medallist in 1min 57.93sec.

The verification test requires a physical medical evaluation, and includes reports from a broad range of specialists, including an expert on gender.

"So we're talking about reports that are very long, very time consuming," Davies said.

"I can't say that if 'X' happens in the future that we will, for example, retroactively strip results. It's legally very complex," Davies added.

"If there's a problem and it turns out that there's been a fraud ... that someone has changed sex, then obviously it would be much easier to strip results.

"However, if it's a natural thing and the athlete has always thought she's a woman or been a woman, it's not exactly cheating."

It was not immediately clear whether Semenya could be stripped of the gold medal if the test confirmed she did meet the requirements to compete in the world championships.

- AAP, AP